This Copan Travel guide is part of our Honduras Travel Guide series. If you want to see how we continued our route after Copán, check our two week Honduras itinerary to plan your full trip.
COPAN TRAVEL GUIDE
Is Copan Worth Visiting? Yes and Here Is Why
Copán is absolutely worth visiting. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason. We already visited Chichén Itzá in Mexico and Tikal in Guatemala, but Copán felt different. The ruins are quiet, full of detailed carvings, and very easy to explore. The small town of Copán Ruinas is only a few minutes away, making the visit relaxed and simple. We visited Copan in 2025 and loved the peaceful atmosphere and the chance to see Maya history so close up. Let’s dive into our Copán Travel Guide.
How Copán Compares to Chichén Itzá and Tikal
Visiting Copán immediately feels different from other major Maya sites. While Chichén Itzá is about two and a half hours from Cancún and Tikal around an hour and a half from Flores, Copán is incredibly accessible. From Copán Ruinas town, it’s only a three-minute tuk-tuk ride to the ruins, making it one of the easiest archaeological sites to visit independently in Central America. The site is smaller and more compact than other Maya cities, which means you can see the main highlights comfortably in just half a day. Costs are lower too, since you only need to pay the entrance fee and optionally hire a guide.
Highlights
• Easily visited independently without a day tour
• Just minutes from Copan town by tuk-tuk
• Lower costs than larger Maya sites
• Ideal stop for travelers entering Honduras from El Salvador or Guatemala
Travel tip
Arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon for cooler temperatures and the best light for photos. Guides are available at the entrance if you want to learn more about the site’s history.
If you are traveling through Central America, Copán fits perfectly into an overland route from Guatemala. For planning, check our 3-week Guatemala itinerary to combine both countries in one trip, and explore three more detailed articles in our Guatemala travel guide.
Copan Travel Guide Quick Facts
Currency: Honduran Lempira (HNL) – you can also pay by USD or credit card at the ruins
Transport: The ruins are just a 15-minute walk from town or a short tuk-tuk ride. Walking around Copán Ruinas is easy and pleasant
Souvenirs: A small shop near the parking offers nice souvenirs at very reasonable prices
Language: Guides speak English, but most signs at the site are in Spanish
Best Time to Visit: Early morning is ideal for cooler temperatures, better light for photos, and a quieter experience
Why Copán Stands Out Among Maya Ruins
Together with just a few other visitors, the site feels peaceful and quiet. The only sounds are the parrots in the trees. In 2024, Chichén Itzá received around 2.2 million visitors, Tikal about 150,000 to 180,000, while Copán welcomed roughly 100,000 to 160,000. Fewer crowds mean more space, better photo opportunities, and time to appreciate the nice details of the ruins. Copán is famous for its detailed stone carvings, some of the most detailed carvings in the Maya world, and you can explore parts of the underground tunnel system beneath the temples. We’ll share the price for the tunnels later in this Copán travel guide.
Highlights
• Calm atmosphere with fewer visitors
• Excellent photo opportunities
• Special Maya carvings and stone figures with very fine details
• Chance to explore underground tunnels
Travel tip
After visiting the ruins, stop in Copán Ruinas town for coffee or a meal. Local cafés and small restaurants are just minutes away, perfect for relaxing before continuing your journey through Honduras.
How to Get to Copán
Getting to Copán is easier than it seems, whether you are coming from El Salvador, Guatemala, or another part of Honduras. Here is a clear guide to the most common routes so you can plan your trip stress free.
From San Salvador to Copán Ruinas (Our Route)
The most convenient way to travel from San Salvador to Copán is by shuttle. We used a shared shuttle with Gekko Explorer and the ride took about 4 to 5 hours and costs 65.00 USD, including the border crossing. It was comfortable, safe, and much easier than navigating public transport.
If you are spending time in San Salvador before traveling to Copán, check our one day in San Salvador guide for ideas on what to do and where to eat.
Important: The shuttle briefly passes through Guatemala and you will receive a passport stamp. Bring your passport and some small USD cash for border fees. Morning departures are best, especially if you want to visit the Copán ruins on the same day.
From Antigua Guatemala to Copán Ruinas
Traveling from Antigua to Copán gives you several options depending on your comfort level and budget. Tourist shuttles are the most popular choice. For budget travelers who want a local experience, chicken buses are possible but much slower. Hedman Alas buses and private taxis are best for travelers who want more comfort and space.If you plan to spend time in Antigua before Copán, check our Acatenango volcano hike and Antigua travel guide for ideas and food recommendations.
From San Pedro Sula to Copán Ruinas
You can also reach Copán from San Pedro Sula. We did this route but in reverse, traveling from Copán to San Pedro Sula. The road conditions are mixed and traffic can be busy when approaching the city, but it is still a straightforward connection.
Journey details:
- Travel time: around 4 hours 15 minutes
- Cost: around 6 USD per person
Transport options: public buses and tourist shuttles
Visiting Copán Ruins: Everything You Need to Know
We learnt during the tour that Copán was once home to around 20,000 Maya. The site is smaller than Tikal or Chichén Itzá but with a lot of history and detail, and much less crowded. Archaeologists began restoring it in the 1930s, and you can still see ongoing restoration work today. Walking around feels really peaceful thanks to the calm and relaxed atmosphere.
How to Get to the Copán Ruins and Entrance Fees – Copán Travel Guide
The Copán Ruins are just a short 15-minute walk from town, or you can take a tuk-tuk for around 1.00 USD (15 Lempira). Parking is available, though we didn’t test it. Opening hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Entrance fees for foreigners:
- Main Ruins: $20 USD
- Underground Tunnels: $15 USD
- Museo de Escultura: $10 USD
- Museo Regional de Arqueología: $5 USD
- Guided Tour: 50.00 USD divided by number of participants (Cash only)
Credit cards are accepted for the tickets, but for the guided tour you will need cash.
Copán Ruins Tours and Extras – Are They Worth It?
We did a guided tour with four people and also visited the tunnels, and we really recommend both. The tunnels are a very unique experience. In Copán, archaeologists opened tunnels to study older structures that were built underneath the visible temples. Inside, you can see original carvings and parts of earlier buildings that are normally hidden. It is hot inside the tunnels, so bring water and take breaks if needed.
The guided tour is also very helpful. You follow a clear route, learn a lot about Maya history, and understand small details you would probably miss on your own. Not all signs are in English, so a guide makes the visit much easier and more interesting. We paid around 47.50 USD in total per person for the entrance fee, tunnels, and guide. We decided to skip the museums this time, but they are a good option if you want to learn even more about Copán.
Our tip: If you stay in a hostel or hotel, ask other travelers if they want to share a guide. This is a great way to save money and meet other people while exploring the ruins.
Where to Eat and Things to Do in Copán Town
Copán town reminded us a bit of Antigua in Guatemala. The town feels safe, offers many accommodation options, plenty of restaurants and street food, and a central plaza that is easy to explore on foot.
Where to Eat in Copán Ruinas
We ate at Los Asados, one of the best restaurants in Copán for grilled meat. Main dishes cost around 8.00 –10.00 USD. The food is fresh, and the view of the nature is nice. You can also try local sides or small snacks if you want to taste more of Copán’s flavors.
Quick Tips for a Half-Day in Copán Town
Since we only had one afternoon in Copán, we couldn’t visit so much. Here are some easy things to do in Copán town after visiting the ruins.
- Walk around the main plaza and enjoy the town, one of the top things to do in Copán town.
- Try street food like empanadas or baleadas, a must for anyone wondering where to eat in Copán Ruinas.
- Visit a local coffee shop for fresh Honduran coffee.
- If staying overnight, choose a hostel or hotel near the plaza.
Bring water and sunscreen for daytime walking.
For more details on exploring Honduras, check out our full two-week Honduras itinerary, including Copán, Pico Bonito, Utila, and Roatán.
Continuing Your Journey From Copan
After exploring Copán, we continued our trip to Pico Bonito to enjoy the rainforest and wildlife. Alternatively, you can head to Guatemala or El Salvador or travel onward to the Caribbean islands of Honduras. From La Ceiba, ferries connect to the Bay Islands, while San Pedro Sula is the main airport if you plan to fly onward.
Next Stop: Pico Bonito – check out our full two-week Honduras itinerary for details on this and the other must-see stops in the country.
Copán Travel Guide Summary
For us, Copán was definitely worth a visit, even though we only had an afternoon. It feels very different from Tikal and Chichén Itzá for the reasons we described. Copán is also a great stop to continue your Central America journey, whether heading to El Salvador, Guatemala, or deeper into Honduras. The town feels safe, there is good food, affordable accommodation, and easy transport with tuk-tuks.
Whether you spend just a few hours or extend your stay, Copán is easy to explore and fits perfectly into a larger Central America route.
FAQ
If you want to extend your stay in Copán, there are a few extra experiences we recommend. Visit the hot springs for relaxing natural pools nearby. Join a local coffee tour to learn about Copán’s coffee culture and taste fresh, locally roasted brews. You can also explore the surrounding villages and nature trails with small hikes or cultural visits, a great way to see more of the area.
Entrance fees for foreigners are 20.00 USD for the main ruins, 15.00 USD for the underground tunnels, 10.00 USD for Museo de Escultura, and 5.00 USD for Museo Regional de Arqueología. Guided tours cost around 50.00 USD per group and are highly recommended.
The ruins are just a 15-minute walk from Copán Ruinas town or a short tuk-tuk ride for about 1.00 USD (15 Lempira). Walking around town is easy, and tuk-tuks provide a quick, convenient option for transportation.
Yes, guided tours at Copán are highly recommended. Guides explain the history, show hidden details, and make the visit more engaging, especially since not all signs are in English. Tours can be shared with other travelers to save money.
After exploring the ruins, enjoy the town by walking around the main plaza, trying street food like empanadas or baleadas, visiting a local coffee shop for fresh Honduran coffee, and relaxing at affordable accommodations near the plaza.
The best time to visit Copán is early in the morning during the dry season, from November to April. Visiting early allows you to enjoy cooler temperatures, better light for photos, and a quieter experience with fewer crowds.
Thanks For Reading Our Copan Travel Guide
We hope our Copán travel guide helped you plan your visit and inspired you to explore the ruins and the town yourself. For more tips, detailed guides, and insider recommendations for Honduras, check out our full two-week Honduras itinerary, including Pico Bonito, Utila, and Roatán.
If you have any questions about getting to Copán, where to stay, or what to see, feel free to reach out — we are always happy to help. We would also love to hear about your own experiences in the comments below. If you found this copan tracvel guide useful, please consider sharing it to support our travel blog.
Vicky and Malte
